Hiya
The biggest secret to succesfully hunting BW fish is quite simple...... you must first FIND the fish!!! This is where a local skipper will be able to assist. Quite often, you'll be hunting in very deep water, with no structure, such as reefs. Here, local knowledge of the area is of great importance.
Lets say you've now found an area which you'd like to work. There are quite a few different methods of hunting:
ANYTHING floating will hold fish. Logs, weed patch's, bouys, etc. Small fish are attracted to the floating object, which in turn attracts larger predators.
Birds working. This is a sure indication of fish feeding. Simply run up to the action, stop JUST before the birds working and swim a short distance towards them. Get too close and the fish will sound. I've also had good success with looking for birds simply sitting on the surface. When you get 10-30birds just sitting on the surface, either you've just missed a rise or they will rise soon. Often i've found YF tuna under those birds.
Using flashers. ANYTHING shiny and noisy will attract game fish. Rob Allan makes some great flashers. I normally add a Halco GT JIG lure, with its hooks removed, to my flashers. These things rattle like crazy and works very well at attracting fish. Set the flasher at a depth all the divers are comfortable diving to. I set mine at 6-12m deep, depending on the day. Dive AROUND the flasher and not directly at it. You will see gamefish approach and come in very close for a look.........BANG!!
Chum. Not advisable if the area is know for large dangerous sharks. Chumming will also attract small fish, and sooner or later, larger predators will turn up.
I know the marlin guys pull hookless teasers behind the boat. Once a marlin is spotted, the boat stops and the spearo's jump in. Pretty much the same principle the flyfishing guys use to tease billfish right to the transom of the boat.
Current Lines. This is where there is a big difference in water temperature. Sometimes its easy to identify, as the water colours are different. Normally a flat clam peice of water, littered with debris and dead small fish. MANY fish LOVE hunting on the current line. Always worth a look!!
Best advice i can offer: NEVER GIVE UP!!! Even if you haven't seen a fish whole day, motivate yourself by say: "i'll get one on THIS dive!!". Makes you more alert and motivated. BW hunting is filled with lots of time with little activity and then lots of action is a very short space of time.
Hope you guys have fun!!
Video clip of YF eating chum, here in SOuth Africa:
YfTuna - yftuna1.wmv @ ZippyVideos.com - Free Video Webhosting
REgards
miles
ps. we want pic's of the fish you're going to get!!!
